John 16:8

The threefold office of the Advocate towards those who do not believe but may yet be won over. AndHe when He is come will convict the world concerning sin, and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment.

he will reprove -Convince" (as the margin) or convict is to be preferred (see on John 3:20). This rendering gives additional point to the rendering -Advocate" for Paraclete. To convince and convict is a large part of the duty of an advocate. He must vindicate and prove the truth; and whoever, after such proof, rejects the truth, does so with responsibility in proportion to the interests involved. The word occurs once in S. Matthew (Matthew 18:15) and once in S. Luke (Luke 3:19); but is somewhat frequent in the Epistles. Comp. 1. Cor. John 14:24; Titus 1:9; Titus 1:13; Titus 2:15; James 2:9; Judges 15, [22], &c.

The conviction wrought by the Advocate may bring either salvation or condemnation, but it must bring one of the two. It is given to men -for their wealth;" but it may -be unto them an occasion of falling," if it is wantonly set aside.